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There was a wonderful Wild West quality to the early days of the American auto industry. Though we largely associate Detroit, Michigan, with the manufacturing of cars and trucks, pioneering car companies had sprouted up all over the country by the early Twenties. How Rebates Work Stutz Motor Company, for example, was building cars in […]

Buying and collecting wine from your favorite wine store doesn’t have to be overwhelming or left to last- minute (and often regrettable) impulse purchases. With a little patience and planning you can be on your way to your very own cellar in no time — whether that means a few special splurge bottles waiting for the right dinner party or a robust collection of tried-and-true favorites combined with newer, buzzier blends.

The bottom line is that investing in a wine merchant to be your go-to spot is as important as investing in a bottle itself — and is #adulting at its finest (and most enjoyable). While we can’t make doing your taxes any less painful, we asked Hortense Bernard, General Manager of Millesima USA and wine expert by birth, to share her best wine store hacks to help make your next purchase a little easier. Because at the end of the day, according to Bernard, “buying wine is about having a good time, not about running another errand.”

Shop the World Wine Web

There’s nothing like shopping for your new favorite bottle at your local. That is, unless it’s pouring down rain. Or 90 degrees. Or you’re carrying three bags of groceries already. And you’re late.

The good news is there’s a simple solution: Nowadays you can take care of buying wine anytime on the web. But that doesn’t mean Amazon should be your go-to for grand cru. Bernard says to make sure the merchant is someone you know and trust. “Find [a site] that has a lot of information about the wine, that is user-friendly, that you feel comfortable with,” she advises. “The more content, the better. You want to make sure that they know what they’re doing.”

Worried you won’t know where to start? Most sites, like Millesima, offer assistance when buying online, so even if you’re picking out a Pinot from your iPhone on the train, you’re not alone.

Find a Partner in Crime

The secret to building a great collection of wine is to find a wine merchant you trust. In addition to simply familiarizing yourself with the selection of wines, check out a merchant’s customer reviews, look for loyalty programs, and get to know the staff.

There are also a few tell-tale physical signs to look for in wine shop, Bernard says. “Make sure the store keeps the wine perfectly and properly. If the store is hot, do not buy there. The wine needs to be stored in a cool temperature, lying down.”

Question Authority

That’s right: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Wine merchants are there to be helpful, and help you find the best bottle. Use their expertise to guide your next purchase instead of shelling out for a bottle that isn’t what you thought it would be. Hortense is not only a GM, but spends time attending trade shows, working the harvest at her family’s chateau, and above all else is passionate about wine, which is all to say she knows her stuff. “I was born into wine. Wine is my passion,” says Bernard. So ask away.

The people selling you your next bottle of Cab Sav are your biggest allies as they get to know you and your palate. “It’s really important that you find someone who will recommend wine that you appreciate,” Bernard says. “Life is too short to buy a bottle and not appreciate it.” This process takes time, but that’s what these folks are here for. Bernard agrees: “That is one of [Millesima’s] strengths — understanding [customers’] palates so we can recommend something. You have to go step-by-step.”

The Price Is Right

If there’s any doubt left in your mind after all these years, yes, good wine comes at every price point, so don’t be afraid to let your merchant know what you’re comfortable spending. “There is no shame to any price point,” encourages Bernard. If you’re on a budget, $20 can easily get you a good bottle of wine, and as little as $30 to $40 will get you a really good bottle, she promises.

Estate Planning

One of the biggest things to look for when choosing a wine merchant to be your go-to is sourcing — especially if you are shopping for pricier bottles. “We buy only from the estates, so we know where it’s coming from and know it’s perfect,” says Bernard. “Most retailers buy from private collections and auctions. You have no idea how the wine has been stored or the quality.” For wines not sourced direct from the estate, the price point should be lower because neither the merchant (nor the buyer) has proof of the quality.

State Your Case

Another sign of #adulting when it comes to drinking wine is finally graduating to the world of buying wine by the case — even if you’re a New Yorker who’s short on space. Not only do most merchants like Millesima offer discounts on cases, but it has a surprising effect on your buying habit, according to Bernard: Buying a case to have at home actually encourages shoppers to try something new when they’re in the store looking for a one-off bottle. (Not to mention, getting to keep the bespoke crate used to ship the wine is a major bonus.)

Solar installers invest significant time and resources into educating their potential customers. And it can be a truly frustrating experience when all that effort doesn’t eventually translate into a sale.

We’ve heard it all: Consumers are “fence-sitters,” “tire-kickers” and “window-shoppers.” In fact, one of the most common laments we hear from solar installers is about how often prospective customers ask lots of questions only to go silent after several conversations.

As solar evolves into a more mass-market product for American homeowners in the coming years, it’s time for us all to acknowledge a simple fact: Today’s “window-shoppers” are tomorrow’s customers.

It’s up to us to support these customers throughout their shopping experience so that they can gain the confidence they need to eventually make a purchase decision.

Whether it’s solar panels, a new car, or a TV, window-shopping is a crucial phase

My Panasonic plasma television is approaching 14 years old. For the last year, I’ve been looking at the new organic light-emitting diode (OLED) TV technology as a replacement. I’ve visited several different websites to understand how OLED technology works and get a complete understanding of my options.

I’ve probably spent a few dozen hours researching different features, prices, and expert and consumer reviews. I’m also checking prices every couple of months. I expect that I’ll pull the trigger later this year, when the combination of price and features is a little closer to my budget and my preferences. By that point, I will have spent almost two years before making this purchase — one that is likely to cost me between $1,000 and $2,000.

This is how I bought my car, Bluetooth headphones, and many other purchases big and small. Window-shopping online helps me feel confident that I am paying a fair price for the right product — far more than speaking with any salesperson could. I expect that if I do talk to a salesperson, it’ll be the last step in my process.

Now, imagine you’re a homeowner considering a rooftop solar energy system. You’ve never owned one before, and it’s likely to cost you $10,000 to $20,000. Wouldn’t you need to window-shop first?

The solar industry needs to make window-shoppi​ng easier, not harder

Our industry is not yet set up to help prospective customers shop around. Many of the solar industry’s sales practices are holdovers from an era when prospects were early adopters who required a very hands-on, one-on-one approach. Without evolving these practices, we run the risk of pushing our future customers away.

As an industry, we still don’t make it easy for prospects to learn about their options and prices without speaking with a salesperson — and even then, it can be difficult to understand which factors have the biggest impact on price. We only want to talk to people who are ready to buy, and buy it now, from us, and without ever doing any homework or speaking to another company. We typically employ commission-only salespeople who don’t have time to educate their prospective customers and try to avoid these so-called “tire-kickers.”

When a homeowner contacts a solar company to get a sense of their options and prices, they often encounter a salesperson who will:

Ask several qualifying questions before offering any valuable information in return

Suggest that the salesperson visit their home before providing price estimates

Call the prospect repeatedly to follow up

Use aggressive hard-sell tactics to close the sale

It’s no surprise that these sales practices are dissuading people from considering a solar energy system. Anyone who has tried to buy a car, refinance their home, or make any other big investment knows that these high-pressure tactics can act as a big deterrent.

EnergySage has conducted in-depth research, including both one-on-one consumer interviews and surveys, to understand what today’s solar shoppers are looking for. Instead of holding it closely for our own competitive advantage, we want to share it with everyone in the hopes that it’ll help grow the industry faster. Here is a summary of what we’ve found:

Millions of U.S. homeowners and businesses are considering solar today, and their first step is to go online

The solar shopping journey can last anywhere from a few months to as long as a decade

In each stage of the journey, customers want to know their solar options, prices and value

Shoppers want to feel confident that they have thoroughly researched their options and are making an informed decision

Because prospects have limited methods to research and window-shop, they typically seek quotes early in their shopping journey as a means of self-education. But don’t mistake this for a sign that they’re ready to buy immediately.

The lack of transparent information into price and equipment quality limits consumer confidence and turns off prospects that then sit on the sidelines as a result of their experience.

The solar industry has a huge opportunity to turn millions of interested prospects into solar customers. If we can offer people an easy way to research — that is, to window-shop — in a truly transparent manner, the industry can grow much faster than ever before.

We should be actively preparing ourselves to nurture the millions of prospective homeowners and businesses throughout the entire shopping process, from early research to decision-making. This may mean evolving solar sales strategies and getting away from the commission-only compensation model, for example. More collaboration and innovation is needed to solve this problem, and to get solar ready for mainstream consumer adoption.

At EnergySage, we are actively incorporating what we’ve learned from our consumer research: In the coming months, we will be launching even more powerful tools to make it easier for people to explore solar at their own pace, and from the comforts and anonymity of their own couch. Our team is confident that, if we do our part, we will make solar completely accessible and affordable to the mass-market buyer.

By doing this, we hope to multiply the size of the solar industry in the upcoming years.

***

Vikram Aggarwal is the CEO and founder of EnergySage, a leading online comparison-shopping marketplace for rooftop solar, community solar and solar financing.

Tired of seeing people on the street wearing the same dress as you? We don’t blame you. With everyone gravitating toward the mainstream shops, it’s kind of hard to stand out from the crowd. So if you’re in need of some new pieces to freshen up your wardrobe game, here’s a solution: look to the east.

With innovative products and cult beauty trends consistently rising to the surface and a culture thriving on constantly changing trends, are you even surprised some of the top e-tailers hail from across the Pacific? Even A-listers like Taylor Swift understand the power of the east, so it would be an understatement to say Asia is on the rise in the fast fashion department. Unfortunately, Asian-made products don’t have the greatest reputation with many companies, due to a history of ripping off designs straight from the runway. However, many of today’s online retailers are turning the tables and looking to change the way customers see products stamped with the words “Made in China.”

Between the e-commerce sites that are only available in foreign languages and online retailers that don’t have international shipping, trying to stock up on your favourite Asian products can be quite the mission. Sure, there’s always Amazon and your local Asian shopping centre (hello, Pacific Mall!). But with the former not curated and the latter inconvenient to dash to for last minute needs, it’s just not ideal. So to help make your online shopping experience a little easier and a lot more affordable, we scoured the sites and compiled a list of the best destinations for all things Asian, from beauty one-stop-shops to cool fashion sites that could give Zara a run for its money.

It looks like we’ve found your new fave place to stock up on all your K-beauty needs. Enter: Oeey Dewy. The Vancouver-based online boutique is the latest in a crop of Asian beauty sites to launch on Canadian soil. Aside from a well-curated collection of the coolest and cutest products from Korea, Japan and other parts of Asia, its millennial pink packaging is just so on point. Glossier, watch out.

Pomelo’s site is super user-friendly. Asian shopping sites can get really busy, and although that’s part of their charm, sometimes you just want to be able to find something quickly and easily. Make sure to check out their stunning look books for inspiration.

Calling all K-beauty enthusiasts in Canada. This ones for you. Based in Toronto, Take Good Care is a newly-launched e-commerce that carries a well-curated collection of innovative Korean skincare products.

Launched in 2004, Stylenanda has quickly become one of South Korea’s leading online fashion sources. Favoured by the cool kids and K-Pop stars, the e-tailer is your one-stop shop all things cool, from up-to-minute fashion pieces to cosmetic must-haves from in-house brand 3 Concept Eyes. Its blog-worthy photos also make for pinning destination.

Founded by South Korean beauty expert Charlotte Cho, SokoGlam is a go-to for your fave Korean brands (think TonyMoly, Etude House, Iope all on one site), as well as tips and tricks via its K-Log. A K-beauty newbie? Fear not because SokoGlam offers a 10-step skincare kit to help kick-start your new beauty routine.

This site features a bunch of cool, edgier pieces. That’s probably why their clothing is often spotted on K-Pop stars. The prices can lean on the higher side, but you know you’re getting great quality and super helpful customer service.

Inspired by the It girls of the front row, Front Row Shop is a Shanghai-based shopping site that references your favourite runway looks without looking like it’s been ripped off. Think of it like Asia’s Zara but way cooler, dare we say.

Founded in 2010 by Chris Kim, Durumi has recently expanded its Queen Street West boutique into online territory. From dainty jewellery to on-trend clothing pieces, your Korean fashion needs are just one click away. FYI, there’s free shipping for orders of $70 or more!

Launched by leading online retailer YesAsia, in 2006, it branched out into the fashion industry and came up with Hong-Kong based e-tailer, YesStyle. Head on over to the e-tailer to find all your Asian needs (we’re talking bags, heels, dresses, home decor and everything in between) at low prices. And since long distance shipping can be a pain, thanks to its “Ready to Ship” feature, you can specifically shop for products that are ready to send out within 24 hours. #score

Dahong, a Seoul-based e-commerce site is a rising favourite, thanks to it’s lookbook-esque photos. While Dahong has all your fashion necessities, it’s the swim shop that really grabs our attention. With over hundreds of colourful bikinis, beach cover-ups and accessories to choose from, you’re bound to find something you like.

Founded by K-beauty guru Alicia Yoon, Peach and Lily is another beauty destination for top products that hail from Korea and Japan. Aside from carrying popular brands like Clio and Cremorlab , its blog is also a great place to ask anything about everything to do with Korean beauty regimens.

Don’t let this giant e-commerce site intimidate you. While the web design may not be the easiest on the eyes, Momokorea features a lot of the top Korean (and international!) brands including SJYP and Beyond Closet.

But that’s not even the best part. If you stumble onto a Korean shopping site that doesn’t ship to your country, you can send the product details and URL to Momokorea (aka the middleman) and they’ll ship it for you.

OK DGG may be a mouthful to say, but it’s the ultimate marketplace for all things Korean. Looking for a wider variety of cosmetics? Check. Want some merchandise to satisfy your inner K-Pop fan? Check. Want a chic carryon bag for your dog? OKDGG has got that for you too. But we’re particularly partial to the couple and family section of the site. You know, for those who are into the whole couple look thing.

Similar to Stylenanda, Aland is one of the go-to fashion boutiques for the SoKo trendsetters. Known for housing many young Korean (and ultra cool) designer brands, you can find the multi-brand company in more than a handful of locations in Seoul. It’s become such a high demand that it has recently made its way to Hong Kong to cater to its Chinese shopping fans. Don’t live in Asia? No problem. Shop its endless cool inventory from the comfort of your own home.

Setting itself apart from the aforementioned Asian beauty sites, Beauteque not only has a massive collection of skincare, haircare, nail care, makeup, and beauty tools available, it also offers two monthly subscription packages – the BB Bag for your skincare and makeup need and Mask Maven for sheet mask lovers. It’s the perfect way to introduce Asian beauty to newbies.

Walmart announced a strategic tie-up with Microsoft on cloud technology.
The two companies are Amazon’s two biggest rivals in cloud computing and retail.
The tie-up will make shopping faster and easier for consumers, according to the pair.
Cloud computing is Amazon’s secret sauce, and its technology powers some of the most popular internet services.

Retail giant Walmart Inc said on Tuesday it entered into a strategic partnership with Microsoft Corp for wider use of cloud and artificial intelligence technology, in a sign of major rivals of Amazon.com Inc coming together.

The five-year agreement will leverage the full range of Microsoft’s cloud solutions, including Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365, to make shopping faster and easier for customers, the Bentonville Arkansas-based company said.See the rest of the story at Business Insider

We hope you like the products we recommend. Just so you are aware, Freshome may collect a share of sales from the links on this page.

Travel is something we do to get away from it all, but it looks like the buyers at Etsy want to bring that travel-adventure vibe into their home. According to Etsy trends expert Dayna Issom Johnson, “Etsy searches for ‘international’ are on the rise.” In fact, categories like “international jewelry” are up almost 100 percent in the last year.

Here are the top four global Etsy trends for your home – no passport required:

Etsy sellers in Germany have access to great vintage boutiques and weekend flea markets. The ’70s are currently popular in Germany and items like rattan, wicker, bamboo and macrame are highly sought after in German Etsy shops.

According to Etsy, there’s “a 90 percent increase in searches for ‘rattan’ globally and 30 percent specific to Germany.” Plus, considering how lightweight the material is, shipping won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

A globally inspired bedroom features soft, soothing textures on the rug and throw pillow, some bamboo and a rattan chair. Image: Shira Gill

How to rock vintage rattan and wicker pieces: It’s all about texture, so don’t be afraid to layer them into your space. Their warm finish goes with all colors and styles, so no need to worry about melding a single rattan side table or chair into a room. Some great ways to add the look to your space include:

side tablewoven ruga chest or trunk that can double as a coffee tablebarstoolswicker pendant lamp

Add a glass top to your rattan or wicker surface to make it flat and stable for drink glasses and to keep dirt and debris out of the weave.

Searches on Etsy for Japanese ceramics are up 15 percent. The handmade earthenware style is modern, minimalist and incredibly versatile. What makes Japanese ceramics so special is that no two are exactly alike because they are handmade.

There are many types of Japanese ceramics that range in price for as little as 50 cents all the way up to thousands of dollars for collector pieces. Some of the signature elements of the look are:

a slightly imperfect shape or handmade details like a hand signature or stampa matte finishdrips on the glaze or irregular colors that add to the piece’s earthy beautyhand-painted geometric patterns or animals like cats or koi

A collection of Japanese ceramics are displayed on the kitchen island of this craftsman home. Image: Aubrey Maxwell

How to rock the Japanese ceramic trend: Pick up a sake set at an import store like Pier 1 or Cost Plus and use the sake server as a vase. The drinking cups can be displayed on your shelf or used to serve coffee, hold spices or as an egg holder. Larger Japanese ceramic pieces look great as food servers, planters or vases. Mix and match a series of Japanese ceramics for color and texture.

Designers from the Netherlands have always been famous for their modern and cutting-edge sense of design, especially when it comes to lighting and furniture. Searches on Etsy for “statement lighting” are up 38 percent, while searches for “minimalist lighting” are up 42 percent. And no other region combines minimalism and statement lighting as well as the Netherlands.

The large and beautiful pendant over the dining table creates a focal point for the space. Image: Post Architects

How to rock the Dutch statement lighting trend: When shopping for lighting, forget the rules. No need to mix and match or stick with the design style of the room or your home. Go with something completely unexpected that has an unusual or architectural look to it. If you’re shopping for a single pendant or lamp, don’t be afraid to choose a larger piece to really stand out.

The Etsy trends report says that linen is “2018’s must-have fabric for home decor and apparel.” Searches for linen items are up almost 20 percent. And Etsy sees a big interest in linens from Lithuania, specifically. Why? According to Issom Johnson, the country grows some of the best raw material for linen. And the traditional art of spinning and weaving linen is still alive and well in Lithuania, with more than 18,000 Lithuanian linen items for sale on Etsy.

How to rock the linen trend: Invest in a luxurious linen bedroom duvet set for a casual, organic look. Go with modern colors like ink blue, deep greys or mocha. The textured effect of linen works perfectly in nearly any home decor style, from farmhouse to modern to bohemian. Or add a simple striped linen table runner to your table setting.

Which of these 4 Etsy trends will you be rocking in your home this summer?

Jet.com, an e-commerce subsidiary of Walmart, announced on Tuesday that it is building a fulfillment center in the Bronx this fall.
It will work with Parcel, a last-mile delivery service that Walmart purchased in 2017, to provide same- and next-day delivery of fresh grocery items and other goods.
Walmart is linking its acquired startups together as the retail giant’s plans to finally invade New York City are becoming more clear.

With not a single Walmart store within city limits, the United States’ largest retailer hasn’t been much of a player in the country’s largest city.

Walmart store employees have some suggestions about what to steer clear of on your next shopping run.
Business Insider spoke with a number of associates to find out what mistakes they’d like to tell shoppers to avoid.
Some associates shared money-saving hacks, while others gave tips on what times to avoid the store.

Walmart store employees have a few tips to share with the shopping public.

Associates interact with customers everyday, so it’s no surprise that they’ve formulated a few suggestions about how to have a better shopping experience at the retail giant.

Business Insider spoke with a number of Walmart associates, and scoured the net for posts from current and former employees, to find out what mistakes and pitfalls they see shoppers run into.